Field Hockey
- Title:
- Graduate Assistant
- Email:
- daviani@kent.edu
- Phone:
- 330-672-3990
Danielle Aviani became Kent State field hockey's second assistant coach in 2019. Aviani comes to Kent State from Wagner College, where she was an assistant during the program's launch.
“I am thrilled to have Dani join our Kent State family.” Head Coach Kyle DeSandes-Moyer said. “Dani has a unique passion for the game and desire to teach that will be a great addition to our staff. She comes from a program that values hard work and integrity and we are very fortunate to have her here at Kent State!”
She helped the Golden Flashes finish 11-9 overall during her first season. Kent State dominated other MAC opponents achieving a 5-1 record and secured the #1 seed in the MAC tournament.
Aviani, a native of Surrey, British Columbia, served as an assistant coach at Hofstra University for the 2017-18 year where she assisted in all aspects of the program, including practice and game planning, recruiting, travel and video analysis before joining the staff at Wagner.
Aviani’s extensive coaching career stems back to a standout collegiate career at the University of Maine, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology in 2017. Aviani was a four-year starter for the Black Bears from 2013 through 2016. A National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-Northeast Region selection as a junior, she was a two-time All-America East selection as well as an America East All-Championship Team pick. She was also selected to play in the Victory Sports Tours/NFHCA Division I Senior All-Star Game in 2016.
In her four-year career at Maine, she played in all 83 games with 80 starts and tallied 38 goals and 20 assists.
Actively involved in national and club teams, Aviani was also a member of the Team Canada U17 National Team and scored the game-winning goal against the United States U17 National Team in 2012. She was also a two-year member of the Canadian Regional U16 Field Hockey Team that captured the gold medal for Team BC in 2011. Aviani was part of the U18 Regional/BC Team that placed third in the Canadian Nationals in 2012 and earned All-Tournament honors where she scored four goals and two assists in a single game against Alberta.
Aviani has spent time on the Maine Field Hockey Camp staff and as a coach with Black Bear Elite Field Hockey Club.
Kent State has played in the MAC Tournament championship game for five straight years, making three NCAA appearances in that span.
